Zizinho (footballer, born 1962) explained

Zizinho
Fullname:Geraldo Francisco dos Santos
Birth Date:11 June 1962
Birth Place:São Paulo, Brazil
Death Place:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Position:Midfielder[1]
Youthyears1:–1977
Youthclubs1:São Paulo
Years1:1978–1980
Clubs1:São Paulo
Years2:1980–1982
Clubs2:América
Years3:1982–1983
Clubs3:León
Years4:1983–1984
Clubs4:América
Years5:1984–1985
Clubs5:Necaxa
Years6:1986–1987
Clubs6:FAS
Years7:1987–1989
Clubs7:Monterrey
Years8:1990–1991
Clubs8:León
Years9:1993–1997
Clubs9:Monterrey La Raza (indoor)

Geraldo Francisco dos Santos (11 June 1962 – 29 July 2021), nicknamed Zizinho, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a midfielder.[1]

Career

Born in São Paulo,[2] started his career with São Paulo FC, being the youngest player and goal scorer of the club in 1978, aged only 15 years and 311 days.[3] [4]

Began his professional career in Mexico in 1980 with América. He also played for León and Necaxa, making a total of 135 appearances, scoring 27 goals, in the Primera División de México.[5]

Dos Santos played in MISL for Los Angeles Lazers for the 1986 and 1987 seasons.[6] [7]

He later played for Monterrey La Raza, an indoor team that played in the Continental Indoor Soccer League, between 1993 and 1997.

Personal life

Dos Santos had three sons, who were also all footballers - Éder (born 1984), Giovani (born 1989) and Jonathan (born 1990).[1] [8]

He died from COVID-19 on 29 July 2021, at the age of 59.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: La familia Dos Santos, ante un partido que une raíces. The Dos Santos family, before a match which unites roots. Marca. Spanish. 16 June 2014. 27 September 2015.
  2. Web site: Player profile . https://archive.today/20121231133825/http://www.cbf.com.br/php/registro.php?i=68704 . dead . 31 December 2012 . 17 June 2010 . Brazilian Football Confederation . pt .
  3. Web site: Os principais recordes dos jogadores são-paulinos desde 1930 . São Paulo FC . 29 August 2023 . pt.
  4. Web site: Todos os Jogadores . SPFCpédia . 29 August 2023 . pt.
  5. Web site: Player profile. 17 June 2010. Medio Tiempo. es. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120616131542/http://www.mediotiempo.com/jugador.php?id_jugador=13623&todos=1&id_liga=1. 16 June 2012.
  6. Web site: MISL career stats. 10 December 2010. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061156/http://www.nasljerseys.com/Players/XYZ/Zizinho.htm. dead.
  7. https://www.thefinalball.com/jogador.php?id=206829 Zizinho
  8. Web site: Giovani Dos Santos 101: Everything you need to know about the LA Galaxy's new Designated Player. MLS Soccer. Arielle Castillo. 15 July 2015. 27 September 2015.
  9. Web site: 'It's what his dad would've wanted' - Martino explains why Mexico star Dos Santos played hours after death of his father | Goal.com. www.goal.com.